DILG to intensify info campaign on federalism
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) said it will intensify its information campaign on federalism despite President Rodrigo Duterte’s remark that he will no longer push for its implementation.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Cabinet-level Inter-Agency Task Force on the Federalism and Constitutional Reform (IATF) led by Interior Secretary Eduardo Año has vowed to ramp up its information dissemination efforts when the 18th Congress opens in July.
READ: Duterte: ‘If you do not want federalism, fine, but change constitution’
In a speech Tuesday, Duterte said he would no longer support federalism that aims to break the Manila-centric government in the Philippines. He, however, was still bent on amending the 1987 Constitution.
“If you do not want federalism, fine, but change the constitution that would change this nation, sabihin ko sa’yo,” Duterte said.
DILG Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said they will relaunch their information campaign to make more Filipinos understand and support federalism.
“There is still three years remaining to get this done so there is time to realize his federalism vision,” Malaya said in a statement.
“The President was simply saying that if the people don’t want it, then he will not railroad it. But our studies show that the more people know about the new system, the more they support it,” he added.
Malaya then said Duterte was just being “realistic” in his speech, noting that the President wanted to boost information dissemination on federalism to enhance public support.
“The President was just being realistic. He understands that federalism is a profound change. He merely underscored the need for more information dissemination so it will gain greater public support. But it does not mean that he’s abandoning the advocacy,” Malaya said.
The 74-year-old leader earlier said federalism would bring peace in the country, especially in the war-torn Mindanao.
Duterte added that federalism will also bring prosperity in regions that have been facing poverty. (Editor: Mike U. Frialde)
